2017 Platnium WITHOUT a wood trimmed steering wheel

[pchansen]

I'm starting my research to replace my 2011 diesel Audi Q7 that Audi has graciously offered to buy back from me (with a little persuasion from the DOT) and have really zeroed in on the Explorer Plarnium. The one feature I simply can't stand is that stupid wood trimmed wheel. It's fake, and it feels just terrible in my hands. Does anyone know if you can special order a Sport or equivalent leather steering wheel from ford?

 

[peterk9]

I'm starting my research to replace my 2011 diesel Audi Q7 that Audi has graciously offered to buy back from me (with a little persuasion from the DOT) and have really zeroed in on the Explorer Plarnium. The one feature I simply can't stand is that stupid wood trimmed wheel. It's fake, and it feels just terrible in my hands. Does anyone know if you can special order a Sport or equivalent leather steering wheel from ford?

As I just mentioned in a reply to your replied post on 24" wheels, everyone has their own tastes. I like the wood. And by the way, the wood trim in the Platinum is real wood, not fake wood. No one has brought up the "special order" part before but I'd guess that would be a NO. It would have to be shown as a 'option' in order to do so. It would be something you'd have to do as an aftermarket project.

Peter

 

[pchansen]

As I just mentioned in a reply to your replied post on 24" wheels, everyone has their own tastes. I like the wood. And by the way, the wood trim in the Platinum is real wood, not fake wood. No one has brought up the "special order" part before but I'd guess that would be a NO. It would have to be shown as a 'option' in order to do so. It would be something you'd have to do as an aftermarket project.

Peter

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. I know there are aftermarket companies out there that can wrap the wheel so that might be the direction I go.

 

[Jon M]

Ask the dealer. They should be able to order you a regular or sport steering wheel through the parts department and install it as a "dealer option". Negotiate it into the deal.

 

[peterk9]

Ask the dealer. They should be able to order you a regular or sport steering wheel through the parts department and install it as a "dealer option". Negotiate it into the deal.

Looks like you'd be looking at about $648 for the heated Sport wheel with paddle shifters etc.

Peter

 

[Jon M]

Looks like you'd be looking at about $648 for the heated Sport wheel with paddle shifters etc.

Peter

If they want to sell the vehicle, they'll do it at cost. Or include it. Just depends on how badly they want to move it.

 

[jeffcny]

I never thought I'd like the feel, but now I love it

 

[ECinEI]

I'm starting my research to replace my 2011 diesel Audi Q7 that Audi has graciously offered to buy back from me (with a little persuasion from the DOT) and have really zeroed in on the Explorer Plarnium. The one feature I simply can't stand is that stupid wood trimmed wheel. It's fake, and it feels just terrible in my hands. Does anyone know if you can special order a Sport or equivalent leather steering wheel from ford?

Question? Did Audi offer you anything toward a new Q7? While the VW diesel thing was bad, going from a Q7 to an Explorer, no matter how nice, seems like a downgrade. The Q7 is on our short list to replace my wife's Sport latter this year. Interested in your thoughts.

 

[omar302]

I am sure if you look around, you'll probably easily find Sport or Limited owners willing to swap their steering wheel for a Platinum's.

 

[peterk9]

I am sure if you look around, you'll probably easily find Sport or Limited owners willing to swap their steering wheel for a Platinum's.

Just make sure that the steering wheels have the same options, IE Adaptive Cruise Control.

 

[kmarnes]

I also wanted the Platinum, at first. But hated the wood trim too much and the pleated leather look inside. I ended up getting a Sport, and you really only lose a couple options (rain sensing wipers, lane departure, and massaging seats which aren't very good quality). Probably a few other things too. But the sport interior is much nicer -- carbon trim and red stitching. And it's slightly cheaper to boot.

Also really wanted the new Q7 but there were no deals to be had and a similarly optioned one would have been 50% more expensive out the door than the Explorer, so I went with the Explorer. I really liked the new Audi too and lusted after it. The Volvo XC90 is a pretty piece of junk with comfy seats and terrible technology, and worse reliability which the Audi Q7 decimates every which way for the same price. Outside of Audi and Ford, nothing else mattered.

In any case, if you want to experience every step of my decision making... this is a great thread that spanned some time. https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5...-vs-ford-q5-q7-vs-edge-explorer-f150-2904415/. I was a total Audi fan boy and really didn't want the explorer at first, but now I'm super happy with it and have no regrets.